The 411 on Workplace Safety Programs

A proper workplace safety program can ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of everyone on your staff.

Here’s how to protect your company’s reputation and prevent costly mishaps through a dedicated workplace safety program.

What is Workplace Safety?

Workplace safety is a broad term that can vary greatly depending on the job at hand. On a basic level, workplace safety entails the policies and procedures that help keep workers and their peers safe on the job. Workplace safety policies often include details about how to use equipment, follow safety guidelines and report hazards or incidents.

In addition to preventing accidents in the workplace, safety guidelines contain a number of benefits for your company. These include protection from injuries and lawsuits, reduced worker compensation, and higher employee retention. For your bottom line, workplace safety guidelines can support increased productivity and lower insurance premiums. Think of it as part of your wellness program.

Employer Safety Requirements

There are certain safety obligations all employees must abide by, regardless of industry. These include details on fire safety and awareness, first aid kit access, and slips, trips, and falls.

Employers are also responsible for eliminating and minimizing hazards whenever they may be present. When such hazards can’t be prevented – or their presence is necessary due to the nature of the job – employers must provide safety equipment to protect workers from harm.

One key aspect of minimizing hazards is ensuring that workers are properly trained in the tools that they’re required to use. Providing regular equipment training and proper safety clothing is often required in jobs that use heavy machinery and electric tools.

Office Safety Training

Safety guidelines implemented in an office might look different than those on a worksite, but they’re not any less important. In an office, safety at work usually includes details about fire safety, emergency procedures, and hazard reporting.

Plus, people who work in an office might be subjected to ergonomic challenges, which many modern employers are taking into consideration.

Safety at Work Guidelines

Accidents and unexpected events are inevitable in the workplace. And while you can’t always anticipate what’s going to happen, it’s important that your policy remains flexible and adaptable. This way, you can update the policies based on experiences your team has learned from.

To reinforce basic procedures and introduce changes to employees, holding routine safety updates can ensure that everyone’s knowledge is sharp. Another good workplace safety practice is holding regular fire and emergency drills to accustom employees to proper responses. Involving employees in the development of procedures and safety regulations can also reinforce their importance.

When deciding how to best present safety information to employees, keep in mind that lectures tend to be less effective than hands-on training. Today, interactive mobile content is leading the way in providing effective safety training to employees. Videos, apps and mobile-ready safety guidelines make safety information more readily accessible than ever before.

Also, consider how you can involve employees directly in the safety practices that relate to their role. This is especially true for employees that are exposed to increased risk on the job.